U.S. patent number 10,413,974 [Application Number 14/911,201] was granted by the patent office on 2019-09-17 for intuitive, adaptive drilling function.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Hilti Aktiengesellschaft. The grantee listed for this patent is Hilti Aktiengesellschaft. Invention is credited to Markus Forstner, Michael Fuchs, Stefan Groer, Egon Koenigbauer, Oliver Koslowski.
United States Patent |
10,413,974 |
Koslowski , et al. |
September 17, 2019 |
Intuitive, adaptive drilling function
Abstract
A method to control a power tool (1), especially a handheld core
drilling machine, includes a drive (10) to drive a tool (30) and a
control unit (40) for when a workpiece (W) is being processed. The
method encompasses the following method steps: setting the
rotational speed of the drive at a first value; measuring a first
power consumption value for the drive; setting a threshold value
for the power consumption of the drive; and increasing the
rotational speed of the drive to a second value if the power
consumption of the drive (10) exceeds the threshold value due to an
increase in the drive load. The power tool includes a drive (10) to
drive a tool (3) and a control unit (40) to control at least the
rotational speed of the drive.
Inventors: |
Koslowski; Oliver (Puergen,
DE), Forstner; Markus (Landsberg, DE),
Koenigbauer; Egon (Eichendorf, DE), Fuchs;
Michael (Bad Woerishofen, DE), Groer; Stefan
(Graben, DE) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hilti Aktiengesellschaft |
Schaan |
N/A |
LI |
|
|
Assignee: |
Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
(Schaan, LI)
|
Family
ID: |
48979579 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/911,201 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2014 |
PCT
Filed: |
August 08, 2014 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/EP2014/067090 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
February 09, 2016 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2015/018930 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
February 12, 2015 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20160200000 A1 |
Jul 14, 2016 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
|
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Aug 9, 2013 [EP] |
|
|
13179827 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23B
51/0406 (20130101); B28D 1/041 (20130101); B23B
35/00 (20130101); B28D 7/005 (20130101); B25F
5/00 (20130101); B23B 45/02 (20130101); B23B
2260/128 (20130101); B23B 2226/75 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B23B
35/00 (20060101); B23B 45/02 (20060101); B25F
5/00 (20060101); B23B 51/04 (20060101); B28D
1/04 (20060101); B28D 7/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;173/2,90,93,176-178,216 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
102009000515 |
|
Aug 2010 |
|
DE |
|
2324961 |
|
May 2011 |
|
EP |
|
2324961 |
|
May 2011 |
|
EP |
|
2391483 |
|
Jun 2013 |
|
EP |
|
Primary Examiner: Long; Robert F
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Davidson, Davidson & Kappel,
LLC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method to control a power tool having a drive to drive a tool
and having a control unit for when a workpiece is being processed,
the method comprising the following steps: setting a rotational
speed of the drive at a first value; measuring a first power
consumption value for the drive; setting a threshold value for
power consumption of the drive; and increasing the rotational speed
of the drive to a second value if the first power consumption value
of the drive exceeds the threshold value due to an increase in the
drive load; wherein the rotational speed of the drive is increased
to the second value as a function of the period of time during
which the threshold value was exceeded and as a function of the
magnitude of the threshold value; wherein the first value
corresponds to a spot-drilling rotational speed and the second
value corresponds to a core drilling procedure rotational
speed.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the drive load is
increased by raising a contact force onto the tool.
3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the threshold value is
defined as a function of at least one parameter of the power
tool.
4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the power tool is a
handheld core drilling machine.
5. A power tool performing the method as recited in claim 1,
comprising: the drive to drive the tool; and the control unit to
control at least the rotational speed of the drive.
6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the first power
consumption value of the drive is measured as a function of a
temperature of the power tool.
7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the first power
consumption value of the drive is measured as a function of an age
or state of wear of the power tool.
8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the first power
consumption value of the drive is measured as a function of a size
of a drill bit of the tool.
9. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the first power
consumption value of the drive is measured as a function of a size
of a type of material of the workpiece.
10. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the first power
consumption value of the drive is stored in the control unit.
11. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein as the magnitude of
the threshold value increases, the period of time during which the
threshold value has to be exceeded for the rotational speed of the
drive to be increased to the second value also increases.
12. A method to control a power tool having a drive to drive a tool
and having a control unit for when a workpiece is being processed,
the method comprising the following steps: setting a rotational
speed of the drive at a first value; measuring a first power
consumption value for the drive; setting a threshold value for
power consumption of the drive; and increasing the rotational speed
of the drive to a second value if the first power consumption value
of the drive exceeds the threshold value due to an increase in the
drive load; wherein the rotational speed of the drive is increased
to the second value as a function of the period of time during
which the threshold value was exceeded and as a function of the
magnitude of the threshold value; wherein the first power
consumption value of the drive is measured as a function of a
temperature of the power tool.
13. A method to control a power tool having a drive to drive a tool
and having a control unit for when a workpiece is being processed,
the method comprising the following steps: setting a rotational
speed of the drive at a first value; measuring a first power
consumption value for the drive; setting a threshold value for
power consumption of the drive; and increasing the rotational speed
of the drive to a second value if the first power consumption value
of the drive exceeds the threshold value due to an increase in the
drive load; wherein the rotational speed of the drive is increased
to the second value as a function of the period of time during
which the threshold value was exceeded and as a function of the
magnitude of the threshold value; wherein the first power
consumption value of the drive is measured as a function of an age
or state of wear of the power tool.
14. A method to control a power tool having a drive to drive a tool
and having a control unit for when a workpiece is being processed,
the method comprising the following steps: setting a rotational
speed of the drive at a first value; measuring a first power
consumption value for the drive; setting a threshold value for
power consumption of the drive; and increasing the rotational speed
of the drive to a second value if the first power consumption value
of the drive exceeds the threshold value due to an increase in the
drive load; wherein the rotational speed of the drive is increased
to the second value as a function of the period of time during
which the threshold value was exceeded and as a function of the
magnitude of the threshold value; wherein the first power
consumption value of the drive is measured as a function of a size
of a drill bit of the tool.
15. A method to control a power tool having a drive to drive a tool
and having a control unit for when a workpiece is being processed,
the method comprising the following steps: setting a rotational
speed of the drive at a first value; measuring a first power
consumption value for the drive; setting a threshold value for
power consumption of the drive; and increasing the rotational speed
of the drive to a second value if the first power consumption value
of the drive exceeds the threshold value due to an increase in the
drive load; wherein the rotational speed of the drive is increased
to the second value as a function of the period of time during
which the threshold value was exceeded and as a function of the
magnitude of the threshold value; wherein the first power
consumption value of the drive is measured as a function of a size
of a type of material of the workpiece.
16. A method to control a power tool having a drive to drive a tool
and having a control unit for when a workpiece is being processed,
the method comprising the following steps: setting a rotational
speed of the drive at a first value; measuring a first power
consumption value for the drive; setting a threshold value for
power consumption of the drive; and increasing the rotational speed
of the drive to a second value if the first power consumption value
of the drive exceeds the threshold value due to an increase in the
drive load; wherein the rotational speed of the drive is increased
to the second value as a function of the period of time during
which the threshold value was exceeded and as a function of the
magnitude of the threshold value; wherein the first power
consumption value of the drive is stored in the control unit.
17. A method to control a power tool having a drive to drive a tool
and having a control unit for when a workpiece is being processed,
the method comprising the following steps: setting a rotational
speed of the drive at a first value; measuring a first power
consumption value for the drive; setting a threshold value for
power consumption of the drive; and increasing the rotational speed
of the drive to a second value if the first power consumption value
of the drive exceeds the threshold value due to an increase in the
drive load; wherein the rotational speed of the drive is increased
to the second value as a function of the period of time during
which the threshold value was exceeded and as a function of the
magnitude of the threshold value; wherein as the magnitude of the
threshold value increases, the period of time during which the
threshold value has to be exceeded for the rotational speed of the
drive to be increased to the second value also increases.
Description
The present invention relates to a method to control a power tool,
especially a handheld core drilling machine, comprising a drive to
drive a tool and a control unit for when a workpiece is being
processed.
The invention also relates to a power tool that uses this
method.
The power tool can be, for instance, a core drilling machine used
for core drilling.
BACKGROUND
A core drilling machine uses a cylindrical diamond-tipped drill bit
to cut a ring-shaped groove into a workpiece that is to be
processed in order to create a cylindrical drill core there which
can then be removed in its entirety from the drilled hole after the
completion of the core drilling procedure. The material that is to
be processed can be, for example, concrete, masonry, stone or the
like.
Such a core drilling device and an associated method to control
this core drilling device are disclosed in German Preliminary
Published Application DE 10 2009 000 015. According to this
document belonging to the state of the art, the acceleration along
a striking axis of a pneumatically striking handheld power tool is
measured. The drive output of the handheld power tool is reduced if
the measured acceleration is greater than a previously set
threshold value. In this context, the threshold value is set in
such a way that it is greater than the maximum acceleration values
that occur during the operation of a handheld power tool that is
striking onto a workpiece.
Core drilling, particularly using handheld core drilling machines,
is a demanding work procedure and it requires a number of different
actions during the individual work phases. These include, for
example, adjusting the parameters of the core drilling machine to
changing conditions or else varying the advancing speed of the tool
(drill bit) into the material that is to be processed. In the case
of handheld core drilling machines, in contrast to core drilling
machines mounted on stands, there is the additional complicating
factor, namely, that users have to hold, control and guide the core
drilling machine with their hands. Since even handheld core
drilling machines can usually be quite heavy and since the working
position is seldom very comfortable for the user, that is to say,
the working position is too low, too high or even above the head of
the user, many problems can occur during the core drilling
procedure as the users are trying to comply with all of the
important parameters while performing the numerous tasks.
Particularly in the early core drilling phase, that is to say,
during the so-called spot-drilling, many difficulties can arise
which can have a negative impact on the entire core drilling
procedure and especially on the result of the core drilling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method to
control a power tool comprising a drive to drive a tool and a
control unit for when a workpiece is being processed. Another
alternate or additional object of the present invention is to
provide a power tool that uses this method. Using the method
according to the invention as well as the power tool according to
the invention overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks and the
processing of the material transpires more safely and more
efficiently.
The present invention provides a method to control a power tool,
especially a handheld core drilling machine, comprising a drive to
drive a tool and a control unit for when a workpiece is being
processed, encompassing the following method steps: setting the
rotational speed of the drive at a first value; measuring a first
power consumption value for the drive; setting a threshold value
for the power consumption of the drive; and increasing the
rotational speed of the drive to a second value if the power
consumption of the drive exceeds the threshold value due to an
increase in the drive load.
Moreover, a power tool is provided that uses this method and it
comprises: a drive to drive a tool; and a control unit to control
at least the rotational speed of the drive.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, it is
advantageous to achieve an increase in the drive load by raising
the contact force onto the tool. Since pressing the tool onto a
material that is to be processed is associated with a higher
resistance acting on the tool, this means that the drive output has
to be increased accordingly in order for the drilling procedure to
advance at a constant rate. For purposes of increasing the drive
output, it is necessary to likewise raise the power consumption of
the drive. Increasing the drive load by raising the contact force
onto the tool can be achieved in an efficient manner in that a
higher rotational speed of the drive and thus a greater drive
output of the power tool are automatically made available whenever
a greater load in the form of a contact pressure is acting on the
tool.
It is likewise possible for the threshold value to be defined as a
function of at least one parameter of the power tool. As a result,
varying operating conditions such as, for instance, the temperature
of the power tool, the age or state of wear of the power tool or of
the tool, the size of the drill bit employed, the type of material
to be processed or the like can be compensated for and a relatively
constant response (increase of the rotational speed of the drive)
of the power tool under different operating conditions can be
achieved.
Moreover, it is also advantageous for the rotational speed of the
drive to be increased to a second value as a function of the period
of time during which the threshold value was exceeded and as a
function of the magnitude of the threshold value. If, for example,
a relatively low threshold value is set for the power consumption
of the drive, then the power consumption of the drive has to exceed
this threshold value for a relatively long period of time.
Accordingly, if a high threshold value is set, then the power
consumption of the drive only has to to exceed this high threshold
value for a relatively short period of time before the rotational
speed of the drive is increased to a second value. With this
feature, it can be achieved that the rotational speed of the drive
is not increased prematurely to a second value if the threshold
value is of a relatively small magnitude.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be explained in greater detail on the basis of
advantageous embodiments, whereby the following is shown:
FIG. 1: a power tool according to the invention, having a drive, a
control unit, a drive shaft and a tool; and
FIG. 2: a flow chart of the control method according to the
invention to control a power tool when a workpiece is being
processed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows a handheld power tool for processing a material such
as, for example, concrete, stone, masonry or the like.
The power tool 1 is configured in the form of a handheld core
drilling machine and it comprises a drive 10, a drive shaft 20, a
tool 30 in the form of a drill bit and a control unit 40.
The drive 10 is configured in the form of an electric motor
although it is also possible to use any other suitable motor or
drive modality.
The drive shaft 20 is connected to the drive 10 via a first drive
end 22 and to the tool 30 configured as a drill bit 30 via a second
drive end 24. The drive shaft 20 transmits the torque generated by
the drive 10 to the drill bit 30. Owing to the generated torque and
to a corresponding contact pressure that is exerted onto the drill
bit 30, the drill bit 30 serves to drill a hole F into the material
W.
The control unit 40 is positioned in the power tool 1 and connected
to the drive 10. The control unit 40 comprises a first sensor 42 to
detect several parameters of the power tool 1 as well as a second
sensor 44 to detect the power consumption by the drive 10.
Accordingly, the control unit 40 and the sensors 42, 44 serve to
measure, control and regulate parameters and especially the
rotational speed as well as the power consumption of the drive
10.
During the core drilling procedure, the drive 10 of the power tool
1 transmits a torque via the drive shaft 20 to the tool 30
configured as a drill bit, thus causing said tool 30 to make a
rotational movement around the axis C in the direction of arrow A
or B. In this context, the rotational speed of the drive 10 and of
the drill bit 30 at the beginning of the drilling procedure
corresponds to a relatively low value, that is to say, to a
spot-drilling rotational speed or velocity. The drill bit 30
operated at the spot-drilling speed is then moved in the direction
of arrow D towards the material W. In this process, the power tool
1 is held and guided by a user (not shown here). After completion
of the core drilling procedure, the drill bit 30 is pulled in the
direction of arrow E out of the hole B that was drilled into the
material W.
As an alternative, it is also possible for the power tool 1 to be
configured not as a handheld power tool 1 but instead as a power
tool mounted on a stand. In this context, the power tool 1 is
positioned on an appropriate power tool stand (not shown here) and
is guided by it during the core drilling procedure.
The control method for a handheld core drilling machine 1 when a
workpiece W is being processed is described below on the basis of
FIG. 2.
As is shown in FIG. 2, the operation of the power tool 1 for a
drilling procedure begins with step S1 in which the drive 10 of the
power tool 1 is started. Then, in step S2, the rotational speed of
the drive 10 is set at a value 1. In this context, the value 1 for
the rotational speed of the drive matches a spot-drilling
rotational speed or velocity. Here, the spot-drilling rotational
speed or velocity is considerably lower than the rotational speed
(hereinafter referred to as the rotational speed with the value 2)
that is used for the actual core drilling procedure.
In step S3, the sensor 44 measures the power consumption of the
drive 10 when the drive 10 is running at a rotational speed of the
drive equal to the value 1, that is to say, at the spot-drilling
rotational speed. The power consumption of the drive 10 is measured
as a function of a number of operating parameters such as, for
example, the temperature of the core drilling machine 1, the age or
state of wear of the core drilling machine or of the tool 30, the
size of the drill bit employed, the type of material W to be
processed or the like. This means that the measured power
consumption is measured and stored in the control unit 40 as a
function of and in conjunction with these operating parameters. The
drive 10 measures and stores the power consumption as a function of
the operating parameters every time the core drilling machine 1 is
started up (again).
Subsequently, in step S4, a threshold value or a limit value for
the power consumption of the drive 10 is set and stored in the
control unit 40. The threshold value or limit value for the power
consumption of the drive 10 is set by the drive 10 as was already
done for the measurement of the power consumption of the drive 10
as a function of a number of operating parameters such as, for
example, the temperature of the core drilling machine 1, the age or
state of wear of the core drilling machine 1 or of the tool 30, the
size of the drill bit employed, the type of material W to be
processed or the like.
In the subsequent step S5, the contact pressure which is applied by
the user of the core drilling machine 1--and which is exerted from
one side by the user (not shown here) and from the other side by
the material W upon the tool 30 configured as a drill bit--is
increased so that, after the spot-drilling phase (i.e. the
rotational speed of the drive at the value 1), the actual core
drilling (i.e. the rotational speed of the drive having the value
2) can be carried out. Since pressing the drill bit 30 onto a
material W that is to be processed is associated with a higher
resistance acting on the drill bit 30, this means that the drive
output has to be increased accordingly by increasing the rotational
speed as well as the torque in order for the drilling procedure to
advance adequately. Owing to the rise of the drive output (that is
to say, the rotational speed and/or the torque), the power
consumption of the drive 10 is likewise increased.
In step S6, the sensor 44 is employed to check whether the
threshold value set for the power consumption of the drive 10 was
exceeded during a previously set period of time due to the increase
in the contact pressure and due to the increase in the associated
resistance on the drill bit 30. As already mentioned above, the
period of time is a function of the set threshold value. In other
words, the higher the threshold value, the longer the period of
time during which the threshold value has to be exceeded before the
drive output is increased.
If the threshold value for the power consumption of the drive 10
has been exceeded for the previously set period of time, then, in
step S7, the rotational speed of the drive 10 is raised to a value
2. The value 2 of the rotational drive speed essentially matches
the rotational speed of the drive for the actual core drilling
procedure and is above the value 1 of the rotational speed of the
drive for the spot-drilling procedure.
If the threshold value for the power consumption of the drive 10
has not been exceeded or if the threshold value has not been
exceeded for the previously set period of time, then the rotational
speed of the drive remains at the value 1 for the spot-drilling
procedure.
* * * * *